Daimler's CEO called the sputtering U.S. economic recovery the largest potential risk to the auto industry's strong outlook this year even as the luxury car maker expects to generate more of its profit and sales from China and other emerging markets.

Daimler AG's chief executive called the sputtering U.S. economic recovery the largest potential risk to the auto industry's strong outlook this year even as the luxury car maker expects to generate more of its profit and sales from China and other emerging markets.